Eels flummoxed as fans turn up for match

Vae time: centre David Vaealiki goes over for a try during Parramatta's 41-20 win against Souths at Parramatta Stadium yesterday. Photo: Craig Golding

PARRAMATTA

Eels officials can't guarantee there will be no repeat of yesterday's scenes at Parramatta Stadium where thousands of fans were left outside when the game against South Sydney kicked off. "We were taken by surprise by the number of people," said chief executive Denis Fitzgerald, who estimated that hundreds may have given up and gone home. "With 12,000 people . . . paying at the gate all within an hour of the game, we just won't be able to ever have a situation where everyone just flows in."

Coach Brian Smith said he couldn't "understand why more people aren't asking more questions" about the increase in penalties this season. Smith said of tomorrow's meeting with errant centre Jamie Lyon: "I'm not sure whether I'm required . . . I'm certainly happy to go if they want me to. We're missing him a lot. We've got a big hole on our right side at the moment that we've tried to fill with three different blokes and we'd love to have him back."

BULLDOGS

Five-eighth Johnathan Thurston's knee injury isn't as bad as first feared and officials are hopeful he will only miss four games. Thurston will undergo scans today after separating the tibia from the fibula in his right knee on Sunday.

WESTS TIGERS

Captain Scott Sattler will undergo tests on his injured right leg today. Scans yesterday confirmed winger Robert Miles (knee) would miss the rest of the season.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA

Back-rower Henry Perenara will be out for up to three months after an arthroscope last week revealed cartilage damage in his shoulder.

BRISBANE

Centre Shaun Berrigan is still a big chance of making the Australian side despite missing out on the preliminary squad. "He shouldn't worry about missing the squad - it's when they read the team out that you worry," Broncos and Kangaroos coach Wayne Bennett said.

CANBERRA

The Raiders are close to re-signing internationals Ruben Wiki and Jason Croker. Wiki is expected to be named New Zealand captain for next week's Anzac Test.

CRONULLA

Prop Chris Beattie was cleared of a serious neck injury yesterday but is unlikely to be available for Saturday's match against Canberra. Suspended five-eighth Greg Bird will face the club's board tonight.

Forward Danny Williams received a knock to his corked thigh on Sunday but is not in doubt for this week's game against South Sydney.

NEWCASTLE

Centre Mark Hughes (shoulder) is due to play his first game of the year in premier league on Sunday.

NORTH QUEENSLAND

Captain Paul Bowman trained yesterday and is certain to be available for Saturday night's game against Brisbane. The Cowboys are promoting it as "the game of the century".

PENRITH

The Panthers expect to have at least five players in the April 23 Anzac Test - Australians Joel Clinton, Craig Gower and Trent Waterhouse and Kiwis Joe Galuvao and Tony Puletua. "Our premier league side is running second and our Flegg side is running second so we are confident we have the depth to handle it," said chief executive Shane Richardson.

SOUTH SYDNEY

Coach Paul Langmack questioned why Eels pair Daniel Wagon and Michael Vella weren't placed on report over incidents early in yesterday's game. "Luke Stuart got smashed in the nose, broke his nose, and then another player goes and elbows one of our players in the head," Langmack said. Stuart and winger Luke MacDougall (hip) are concerns for Saturday's match in Melbourne. "The NRL has given us the Monday game . . . and we've only got three or four days' preparation," Langmack said.

SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Utility Luke Phillips is expected to be available for Sunday's match against Newcastle after recovering from a knee injury.

WARRIORS

Coach Daniel Anderson has handed responsibility for choosing the Kiwi team to play Australia to a panel that includes former internationals Brent Todd and Tony Kemp.